Mystery Virus wipes out young Marennes-Oleron oysters

Description:

A mystery virus which is affecting the majority of breeding areas in France, is killing between 40% to 100% of young oysters aged between 12 and 18 months.  These oysters would have been ready to eat at the end of 2009.

Producers fear a repeat of the virus that decimated the industry in 1970, but possible causes range from toxic algae, pollution or a severe rise in water temperatures.  The topic was discussed at a meeting of the National Committee for Shellfish Farming in Paris last week, and further investigations are being carried out by the research institute ‘Ifremer' (Institut Francais de Recherche pour l'exploitation de la Mer).  The Minster for Agriculture and Fishing Michel Barnier will be visiting the region on Thursday to discuss the situation.

The Marennes-Oleron basin covers 3000ha on the Atlantic coast, and is responsible for 60% of production in France.  France is the fourth largest producer of oysters in the world, behind China, Japan and South Korea.